Happy New Year.

Resolute. I am absolutely resolute 2008 will be a wonderful year, because no matter what happens, I am going to embrace and accept it. We are so fortunate but in reality resolutions are just another way for us to focus on what we aren't instead of what we are. We are always trying to be smarter, calmer, thiner, smarter, nicer.... the list goes on. Not that improving oneself is a bad thing, but I think that sometimes we just need to reflect on what we did achieve and what we are proud of about where we are. I did refocus on my health and i lost 45 pounds and my children never called it a diet. They called me a health nut. I started exercising and I picked up tennis again. I took pride in my home, my family and myself. Next year, Iwant to keep it up.... and maybe return my phone calls faster.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Well, another Christmas Eve come and gone. We went to church, opened presents, set up for Christmas Day and we are ready to turn in. I spent allot of the day cooking. I made cookie dough but we didn't make the cookies because we ran out of time. I made pound cake, and frankly, it tastes pretty bad. Next year, I will remind myself, very little I cook turns out like I would like. But as quickly as it goes, I still enjoy it all. I hope I am helping mark some memories for those in my life. I hope it makes the holidays special for the people I love. I know we are so blessed to have friends, family and loves ones near to celebrate and they remain long after the packages are passed out. Our minister had a sermon about re-gifting. He spoke of re-gifting the gifts of love, friendships, forgiveness, blessing, and of course, sharing God's word, but it made the most sense this holiday season. Give the gifts that really mean something to someone... a smile, an ear, a touch, a hand, or perhaps patience, biting your tongue, holding the careless or hurtful remark. I hope i slowed down a little. My useless cake and frozen cookie dough are a reminder, i didn't get it as right as i would have liked to. But i bought paper plates for breakfast:)

Teenager in theHouse

While I might be in a bit of a rant, I am very tired of my soon to be 13 year old. She is a great little person, smart, pretty and kind to people (who don't live with her) and generally has her head about her. But i am so tired of her acting like she is entitled to all the riches in the world and we are only there to provide what she needs. We try everything and yet, still she approaches us with disdain. It is driving me crazy. I want to have the courage to just take everything away and make her earn back every privilege. Somehow, I think the message will be lost. Maybe the deal is not letting her have any more privileges. How do we get her to earn? How do we get her to buy into accomplishing her own goals? Am I expecting too much of her? Do I just let her be who she is and let her make her mistakes and pay for them. She doesn't seem to want or heed our direction. I wonder if I just stop even trying.

Holiday Haze

Well, 9 days until Christmas. Today, we had a coffee for a neighbor and friend who is leaving and moving to California the 28th. The whole week has flown by. My foot is healing. There was a party on Thursday, a relaxing time Friday, Saturday we planned and cooked, cleaned and watched the rain. Today was all ready for the party and the party. It was nice people took time to come say goodbye and I was glad that we all took time to throw the party. I finished Christmas shopping. I pushed hard and I am so tired but I wanted every night this week to be a little slower so we can savor Christmas. Next weekend, we will go to Spartanburg and then Monday and Tuesday we can relax as a family. But definitely the last week of work was the worst. No Christmas spirit there.
We tried to cut back a little on the kids this year since they really need to understand a little more that Christmas is about more than gifts. Our son delivered the gifts to the toy drive. But we don't know about our nine year old. He might still believe so we want to keep all the traditions and make that Christmas morning exciting. Through all the work, it is still is a wonderful season. I can't wait to have two days off with the family.

July for Christmas

Well, it certainly feels like it. It is almost 80 degrees here and 14 days before Christmas. Not much chance of a White Christmas I fear. My broken ankle aside, it feels like Christmas is a fiction to some degree. Warm weather just makes me postpone the holiday mentally. I hope it cools down to an acceptable temperature soon.

In the meantime, we shop, celebrate, reflect and plan. My office is buzzing with deadlines. Custody issues complicate the holidays for so many. It really is a shame. People have such a hard time with a family cease fire. I truly don't see why we should expect world peace when two people who made a baby can't co-exist.

Well, I am back to dueling pens to counter another undeserved attack on a client. The pain pills don't dull this type of ache and pain. My ankle is the least of my problems.

Another day in bed

Working from home has its challenges.  I have been so busy but feel behind because everything takes more effort.  Plus, I am so tired of sitting.  But, I took a shower and i have seen the kids briefly every afternoon which is nice.  Tonight, they will move me downstairs to the den to see the tree and fireplace and maybe another Christmas special.  Technology  is great.  I will be less behind when i get back to the office.  But on the other hand, isn't is sad you can't be ill or hurt and just concentrate on getting better.  If you can do anything, you are certainly expected to.  Very few boundaries anymore.  Why should I feel guilty for not working when a doctor wrote a note telling me not to work for three days.  Yeah, like I was able to do that.  

Stopped in my tracks!

What a week.  Last week, I finished up a grueling week at work with a great dinner and my favorite annual ritual... decorating our Christmas Tree.  I love it.  Watching the children open boxes of ornaments and argue about who puts the angel on the tree, just means the world to me.  I never want it to end.  This year, Dad helped with the process.  In some years past, he waited for us to unveil.  This year he monitored my lighting and the children's' placement of ornaments and it was great fun.  Saturday was a whirlwind.  We took our daughter to a Bat Mitzvah, a horse show and then a big dress evening diner and dance related to the Mitzvah.  She looked so grown up.  I couldn't believe how she has grown.  She showed amazing poise when her horse show didn't turn out as she planned and she looked so lovely leaving for her party.   But, Sunday was as big of a deal as Saturday.  It was the first Sunday of Advent.  I let the girl sleep in as she was out so late, so she and Dad missed services and came for Sunday School.  I love all of the Christmas Advent services.  It is good to take lots of time to remember why we celebrate. ..how it all started.    Then Mom and Mom in Law came to celebrate Moms birthday with lunch and some Christmas shopping.  A lovely and long day.  Then, I got knocked on my butt.... literally.  Running around getting everything ready for school and work, i fell down the stairs.  Fortunately, i only suffered a bad sprain... not a break.  

Needless to say, it ground me and everyone around me to a halt.  I had to take off work.  Todd had to delay all of his work and take me to the emergency room. Stephanie had to miss piano and get Clay to the bus.  Everyone at work had to shift and cover.  But everyone came together.  I got to see my sitter in action that afternoon.  I watched as Stephanie took over dinner and waited on me without complaint.  I needed that after watching her behave in a most entitled manner on Sunday.  It made me feel good to watch her shift priorities with no gain in sight for her.  I guess we don't require it enough of her to make it a habit.  It was so great to know she can put others first and cheerfully.  Clay was a doting fellow.  The short of it, we all had to focus on each other for awhile.  And frankly, it was a good for me to be unable to do for them for a day.  I love to take care of my family.  I like to do it well.  But I overdo it and then  stressed out, I seem to cancel out my efforts by becoming cranky and short.  As much as my ankle hurts, I have enjoyed the efforts made by my family.  They have taken wonderful care of me.  And possibly enjoyed doing for themselves a little.  Plus, not being able to do laundry and clean, means I have been watching Christmas specials with my kids.  Yeah Rudolph.    I love that little misfit.

I certainly feel like one week after week.  Especially after this strange week.  I may be on my feet again soon.